Going to a railroad training class or school might be good, but I heard (atleast CSX anyway) prefers to train their employees themselves.
Not exactly. CSX makes you quit your job, pay $3000/$4000 [if you live in an Empowerment Zone, the taxpayers foot the bill] to spend six weeks at “Choo-choo U.”…all I’ve met came through North Florida Community University in Jacksonville,Fla. [probably with some CSX big-wigs or their in-laws on the Board].
In the meantime, you are without a major paycheck while your wife and kids still have to eat and the rent/mortgage still needs to be serviced. IMHO, the CSX training scam is a travesty, with lots of good people turned away because they can’t afford to pay for the dance.
BTW, I am an engineer of over 30 years with nearly 40 years of total railroad service. I’ve seen lots of change…almost NONE of it good.
You may want to think about volunteering for a tourist railroad. I did and worked my way up from Trainman to Brakeman to Conductor and now I have my Student Engineer card.
The definite plus side is that I’ve learned shortline railroading without the long hours away from home, etc.
But because its a shortline doesn’t mean things are any less dangerous. People act like the trains are toys, but they’re not. I’ve been up in the cab when someone has run the flashers right in front of us. One particular time, I was in the cab when we came about within about 5 inches of nailing someone because they blew the crossing protection. We had finished up freight for the day and were heading back when it happened - someone risked their life rather than wait the 30 seconds for the light engine to pass. Amazing.
Kevin
I’ve already thought about those things, and I am prepared for them. I have heard this from engineers on some of the freights that I’ve hopped (With the engineers’ permission, while the train was stopped, and I got to ride in the cab. Beauty.)
I heard that you have to work 24/7 with only 8 hours off, but the pay is good, which would be good for my model railway. I had hoped that, when the weather is good, I could take a picture of my train when it was in a siding. Any thoughts about that?
Trainboy
Anybody happen to know which issue this was in, or what the title of the article was. I’ve been thinking of applying with a railroad around here. Biggest reason I worried about it is the aparrant lack of family time…I’m getting married in three short days [:D] The last thing I want is to be away from her for days or weeks on end.
Trainboy, have you spoken with anyone from CPR? If so, they’ll probably tell you to forget SAIT and attend one of their info sessions in Calgary when they have one. I’ve tried twice here in BC to get in with them. First you go to an information session (if you are chosen to do so from the 400 or so applications they receive), then you have to pass a short written test. Then they send you away for 3 hours while they cut the group in half. Half get the boot, half get to write aptitude tests. Then the interview, then you wait to hear. In Coquitlam, they hired 12 conductor trainees…I was an alternate. Basically, I was in limbo for 3 months before they told me I wouldn’t get in this time. I don’t want to discourage you, they are expecting a big turnover in their train personnel in the next few years. They want to train you themselves, so I’m not sure a certificate from SAIT would impress them at all. This is what I was told by a guy I know who is a conductor with CP. Hope it sheds some light on what the application process is like!